[NewsPoster]

Microsoft could generate as much as $2.5 billion in 2014 if it were to put out a fully-functional version of Office for the iPad, claims Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Holt. The estimate is based on an Office attach rate of 30 to 40 percent for Mac owners, versus 10 to 15 percent for Windows, although the latter may not include the stripped-down versions of Office that ship with many PCs. If 200 million iPads are sold by 2014, a 30 percent attach rate with a $60 pricetag would give Microsoft the $2.5 billion figure, even after Apple's 30 percent revenue cut.

Reports of an Office iPad suite have been in circulation for many months, but Microsoft still hasn't set a firm date for the software, or defined what features it will have. A full feature set may be unlikely, since iOS is missing things like precision input and a dedicated filesystem. Without a fully-functional suite, a $60 pricetag may also be unlikely; most iOS apps cost less than $10, and sales of apps over that threshold have typically been poor. Microsoft would also have to compete with apps which are cheap and fill in for some (though not all) of Office's features.

[pairof9s]

The reason for this is that Microsoft continues to think people will want Windows on a tablet, regardless of what window dressing they put on it (aka Windows 8). In that way, Office runs better on their tablet than anyone's else's OS...we Mac users are quite aware of this strategy. So keep humpin' that Surface, Ballmer all the while people keep migrating towards Google Docs, iWork, and the growing plethora of alternative Office solutions on their iOS and Android tablets.

[coffeetime]

MS is buying time. Early release of Office Suite for iPad is a suicide act for their Surface which comes with MS Office Suite.

[coffeetime]

A: When MS decides to close the door on Surface...... maybe 2 to 3 years from now.

[AngryFanBoy]

My wife just picked up a powerful 17" ASUS laptop with Windows 8 and both keyboard/touchscreen. At first I was very impressed, but it soon became apparent Windows 8 is very very similar to iOS, just uglier and with inelegant transitions. I will say it was very powerful and fast. Just poorly realized and a total iOS rip. LIke an iPad on steroids, but poorly thought out and with limited access to personal preferences. Can't say I like the direction personal computing is heading in.